Look at the pictures and listen to the sounds. What do you think the story is about? Read the plot to find out.
The Plot:
‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’ by Jules Verne is an adventure story about a professor, Otto Lidenbrock, and his nephew Axel. After they find a mysterious message from explorer Arne Saknussemm in an old book, they go on a dangerous journey to look for the centre of the earth. During their adventure, their raft is broken against rocks and they discover an amazing place …
a)
Read the story and complete the sentences with words from the text or your own words.
1. Axel and the professor heard _ .
2. The men hid _ .
3. Then, they saw _ .
4. Axel found a _ .
While Hans repairs the raft, Axel and the Professor look around.
1. Professor: Let’s explore this area over here!
2. Professor: What’s that noise?
Axel: Quick! Hide!
The men hide behind some bushes.
Axel: Look! A man. And huge elephants.
3. Professor: But, they used to live thousands of years ago. When we get home, people will be amazed by what we saw.
Axel: But, will they believe us?
4. Professor: We must get back to Hans and the raft!
Axel: Wait! What’s this?
5. Professor: It’s a very old knife. It must be Arne Saknussemm’s!
The Professor finds initials on a cave wall.
6. Professor: Saknussemm was here! The compass must be broken.
Professor: We found it! This must be the last part of Arne Saknussemm’s journey!
7. Professor: Quick – let’s find Hans and come back!
b)
Match the pictures (a−g) to the parts (1−7).
Find words in the text which mean:
1. look around
2. very big
3. surprised
4. the first letters of your name and surname
5. an instrument that shows direction
6. find sth
7. go somewhere you can’t be seen
a) Portfolio: Take roles and act out the dialogue in the story. Record yourselves.
b) Use the pictures to narrate the story.
a) Study the theory box. Find examples of used to in the text.
We use used to + infinitive to talk about past states and habits.
My grandad used to tell me stories when I was young. (He doesn’t anymore.) He didn’t use to wake up late in the mornings. Did you use to ride a bike when you were 5 years old?
Sometimes we can replace used to with the Past Simple without any real difference in meaning.
When he was a child, he used to spend/he spent his holidays in Sochi.
b) Use the words to write sentences about what you used/didn’t use to do when you were six. You can use your own ideas.
• read comics
• play with toys
• go to the park
• write stories
• watch cartoons
• drive a car
• play hide−and−seek
When I was six, I used to read comics.
Study the box. Then join the sentences with the words in bold.
We use as soon as, when, after, until and then to introduce time and show a sequence of events.
The phone rang as soon as he entered the room.
Otto and Axel found a message. They decided to go on a dangerous journey. (as soon as)
They were not nervous. They heard a noise. (until)
They hid behind some bushes. They heard the noise. (when)
They went to meet Hans. Axel found an old knife. (after)
Portfolio: Write a short plot for a book you reading. Use the plot in Ex. 1 to help you.